PROFESSIONAL HOUSEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION –YUVA ORIENTATION PROGRAM

DATE: 30 JULY 2025

The BGS Institute of Hotel Management (BGSIHM), Bangalore, witnessed a landmark event with the hosting of the Professional Housekeepers Association (PHA) – YUVA Orientation Program, designed to inspire and engage aspiring hospitality professionals with the dynamic field of Housekeeping. The session was led by Ms. Smitha Mohan, Vice President – Learning and Development, PHA Karnataka Chapter, and was strongly supported by Ms. Babita Butola, Vice President, PHA Karnataka Chapter. Their presence and participation significantly enriched the orientation session, making it both insightful and impactful for the students of BGSIHM.

This initiative aligns with the vision of BGSIHM to connect its students with professional bodies, industry mentors, and emerging career-building platforms that can add value to their academic journey and future employability.

Program Objectives:

The primary objectives of this orientation session were:

• To introduce students to the Professional Housekeepers Association (PHA) and its national and regional initiatives.
• To familiarize students with PHA–YUVA, the youth-centric wing of the association.
• To highlight the importance of industry associations in shaping students’ professional development.
• To encourage student membership and active participation in PHA–YUVA.
• To launch and successfully implement a membership drive, giving students the opportunity to join a professional network during their academic years.

Program Highlights:

1. Introduction to PHA and its Activities:

Ms. Smitha Mohan opened the session with a comprehensive introduction to the Professional Housekeepers Association (PHA). Established as a premier professional body for housekeeping professionals, PHA has created a nationwide platform for learning, collaboration, and innovation in hospitality housekeeping. Students were introduced to the mission and vision of the association, which focuses on:

• Raising the standards of housekeeping through continual learning and professional networking.
• Providing a common platform for housekeepers across hotels, hospitals, institutions, and other industries.
• Facilitating mentorship, career development, and cross-industry collaboration.

She shared the association’s key activities such as:

• Organizing conferences, webinars, and knowledge-sharing sessions.
• Publishing industry newsletters and whitepapers.
• Recognizing excellence through awards and certifications.
• Creating linkages between industry professionals and academia.

The students gained insight into how PHA functions not merely as a body for practicing professionals but also as a forward-looking entity that invests in the future generation of housekeeping leaders.

2. Introduction to PHA – YUVA and its Activities:

The spotlight then shifted to PHA–YUVA, the youth development arm of the association. Ms. Mohan and Ms. Butola elaborated on how PHA-YUVA was conceived as a strategic initiative to groom students, instil industry values, and provide them with a platform for practical learning, leadership, and exposure.

Key highlights of PHA–YUVA’s activities include:

• Workshops and training sessions tailored for students.
• Competitions and events promoting creativity, cleanliness, and sustainable housekeeping.
• Opportunities to attend national conferences and interact with top-tier professionals.
• Internship support and career mentoring facilitated by PHA members.
• Industrial visits and hotel exposure arranged in collaboration with industry partners.

Students were also introduced to the YUVA Executive Committee, which allows students to take leadership roles within the association, further enhancing their skills in organization, communication, and team management.

3. Role and Importance of PHA–YUVA:

The speakers emphasized the critical role of PHA–YUVA in bridging the gap between education and the hospitality industry. In an era of rapidly changing guest expectations, technological interventions in housekeeping, and sustainability mandates, students need to stay industry-ready and future-forward.

The orientation session focused on how PHA–YUVA:

• Builds awareness of industry best practices.
• Offers networking opportunities with housekeeping professionals across India.
• Encourages innovation and leadership in housekeeping operations.
• Provides an ecosystem for continuous learning and professional development.
• Instils a sense of pride and professionalism in the field of housekeeping.

The role of emotional intelligence, attention to detail, guest personalization, and hygiene standards was also discussed, emphasizing how PHA–YUVA addresses these skill areas through its focused training modules.

4. Student Benefits of Joining PHA–YUVA:

One of the most engaging parts of the session involved outlining the direct and indirect benefits of student membership in PHA–YUVA. These include:

• Professional networking with housekeeping managers, executive housekeepers, and HR heads.
• Early exposure to industry trends, expectations, and technological advancements.
• Access to industry-recognized certification programs.
• Priority selection for internships, job placements, and hotel projects.
• Opportunities to showcase talents through competitions and exhibitions.
• Active involvement in community cleanliness drives and sustainability campaigns.
• Access to online resources, journals, and updates from PHA’s national chapters.

Many students expressed their enthusiasm about joining an association that values and recognizes the significance of housekeeping as a career, moving beyond the traditional perceptions of the domain.

5. Membership Drive and Its Resounding Success:

The session culminated with an enthusiastic membership drive led by PHA–YUVA. Both Ms. Smitha Mohan and Ms. Babita Butola personally interacted with students, answering queries and guiding them through the registration process.

Thanks to their proactive engagement and the inspiring nature of the session, the membership drive saw an overwhelming response, with a large number of students expressing keen interest and registering on the spot. The students of BGS Institute of Hotel Management displayed great zeal, recognizing that joining such a prestigious body early in their academic career would offer a strategic advantage in the competitive hospitality industry.

Learning Outcomes:

From this orientation program, the students derived several valuable learning outcomes, including:

1. Understanding the Scope of Housekeeping beyond routine cleaning – as a strategic, guest-centric, and quality-focused function.
2. Gaining exposure to national-level platforms and industry mentors through PHA and PHA–YUVA.
3. Recognizing the importance of being a part of professional bodies for continuous development.
4. Learning about career opportunities, industry expectations, and the evolving nature of housekeeping services.
5. Building enthusiasm and professional pride in choosing housekeeping as a specialization.

The Professional Housekeepers Association – YUVA Orientation Program held at BGS Institute of Hotel Management was an inspirational and insightful initiative that opened new doors for student engagement, professional development, and career planning. The leadership of Ms. Smitha Mohan and Ms. Babita Butola created an indelible impact on the students, encouraging them to pursue excellence in housekeeping with a renewed vision and purpose. The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks by the Faculty Coordinator, expressing gratitude to the PHA leaders for their time, mentorship, and dedication to student development. The orientation was not just a session—it was a movement toward nurturing responsible, skilled, and passionate housekeepers of tomorrow.